Family Peer Supporter, Virtual Care

**Article Flag: Mandatory Vaccination Please Note**:
As per the current Public Health Orders (Long Term Care/Seniors Assisted Living Provincial Health Order and the Health Sector Order), as of October 26, 2021, all employees working for Providence Health Care must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination status will be required.

**Summary**: Within the context of a patient, client and family centred model of care and, in accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Providence Health Care, promotes a safe, respectful, and civil working environment for patients, residents, families, visitors and staff.

Reporting to the Clinical Coordinator, Virtual Care, the Family Peer Supporter, Virtual Care works as part of an interdisciplinary team providing online peer support services to caregivers/families supporting a youth or young adult who has experienced mental health or substance use challenges. Provides a range of non-clinical, peer-based services to family and caregivers through sharing living/lived experiences including assisting in the navigation of the mental health/substance use system, accessing community family support, identifying available education and resource information, while providing individualized peer-based practical, emotional and social supports. Facilitates peer-based groups and conducts peer information sessions and delivers services in alignment with Foundry’s Service Model. The Family Peer Supporter promotes holistic family health and well-being by fostering the development of respectful, collaborative relationships with family members/caregivers, young people and service providers.

**Qualifications / Skills and Education**: Education
Completion of/eligible for completion of a recognized family peer support training program.

Two years’ experience as a parent or caregiver supporting a youth or young adult with mental health and/or substance use challenges would be considered equivalent.
Previous peer support experience and training is an asset.

Skills and Abilities
Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality, and work with personal and role specific limits and boundaries.

Demonstrated ability to use one’s lived/living experience to promote positive connections with families and caregivers at differing levels of engagement.

Demonstrated knowledge of mental health and substance use resources and community services.

Demonstrated ability in using a strength-based approach in sharing challenges and co-creating solutions.

Demonstrated skill in using computers including using technology-based solutions for service delivery, documentation, and viewing screening and assessment data.

Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations and to recognize and respond appropriately to the needs of caregivers/families.

Knowledge of harm reduction principles and activities.

Knowledge of crisis intervention and conflict resolution.

Ability to develop, organize, coordinate, deliver, and evaluate individual and group activities.

Ability to establish and maintain rapport with caregivers/families.

Ability to observe and recognize changes in caregivers.

Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team.

Ability to use effective interpersonal skills to establish/maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, the public and other agencies.

Ability to organize and prioritize.

Ability to analyze and resolve problems.

Ability to operate related equipment.

Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.

**Duties and Responsibilities**: Participates in the provision of services to families and caregivers, using online methods, providing support, guidance and mentorship, to engage families as partners in their co-developed wellness goals. Establishes rapport with families and caregivers based on respect and promotes self-care; this includes brief support, active listening, family-centred and strengths-based approaches to family engagement.

Assists with creating an effective and supportive connection between community and health service providers and families, and acts as a resource for improving family involvement within mental health or substance use.

Models hope and shares living/lived experiences and lessons learned to assist in the navigation of the formal mental health/substance use system, accessing community family support services, and to support families and caregivers in achieving individual and family health and wellness goals.

In consultation and with direction from interdisciplinary team members, arranges and carries out established peer support and educational groups/activities, such as caregiver workshops, discussion forums, wellness activities, information sessions and support groups.

Works with interdisciplinary team members to meet pre-established goals and objectives and facilitates family peer support activities.

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